Welcome to the ultimate Dark Souls 2: Beginner’s Guide! Whether you’re new to the series or just need a refresher, this comprehensive guide will set you on the path to mastering the treacherous world of Drangleic. Dive in and discover our expert tips on everything from game basics and navigating the first area to collecting essential early items and conquering your first boss. Ready to embrace the challenge and emerge victorious? Let’s get started on your epic journey!

Dark Souls 2: Beginner’s Guide#

Game Basics#

Alright, brave adventurer! Let’s dive into the basics of Dark Souls 2. This game doesn’t hold your hand, so knowing the essentials early on can save you a lot of pain (and deaths). Here’s a crash course on what you need to know.

Controls & Movement#

First things first: get familiar with the controls. They might seem a bit clunky at first, but practice makes perfect. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Left Stick: Movement.
• Right Stick: Camera control.
• Circle/B: Roll and backstep. This is your dodge move. Master it!
• Square/X: Use item.
• Triangle/Y: Two-hand weapon. Great for extra damage but leaves you vulnerable.
• R1/RB: Light attack. Faster but less damage.
• R2/RT: Heavy attack. Slower but packs a punch.
• L1/LB: Block with shield. Only works if you have a shield equipped.
• L2/LT: Parry with shield. Timely but risky.
• L3/R3: Click for dash and lock-on. Always lock onto enemies during combat.

HUD Overview#

Understanding the HUD (Heads-Up Display) is crucial. Here’s a breakdown of the main parts:

• Health Bar (Red): Your life. If this depletes, you die.
• Stamina Bar (Green): Used for attacking, blocking, and dodging. Keep an eye on it!
• Magic Bar (Blue): Used for casting spells. Only visible if you’re using spells.
• Souls Counter: Bottom right. Souls are your currency and experience points (XP). Do NOT lose them.

Souls and Leveling Up#

Souls are everything in Dark Souls 2. You get them from defeating enemies and bosses. Use souls to buy items, upgrade gear, and level up.

• Spending Souls: Find the Emerald Herald in Majula to level up. Spend your souls wisely by increasing stats that match your play style.
• Losing Souls: If you die, you drop all your collected souls at the spot of your death. You can recover them if you reach the place without dying again. If you die en route, they’re gone for good.

Bonfires#

Bonfires are your safe havens. They’re scattered across the world and act as checkpoints. Here’s what you can do at a bonfire:

• Rest: Saves your progress and replenishes health and healing items.
• Fast Travel: Initially limited, but you’ll unlock more locations as you go.
• Level Up: Speak to the Emerald Herald.
• Repair and Repair Powder: Fix broken equipment.
• Estus Flask Upgrade: Use Estus Shards to increase the number of healing flask uses.

Combat Tips#

Combat in Dark Souls 2 is all about timing and patience. Here are some tips to keep you alive longer:

• Lock On: Always lock onto enemies during combat to keep your camera focused on them.
• Stamina Management: Never exhaust your stamina bar completely. Always leave a little bit for emergency dodges.
• Shield Up: Blocking is safer than dodging until you get the hang of enemy patterns.
• Spacing: Learn to maintain distance. Rushing in can often lead to mistakes.
• Parrying: Although risky, parrying can stagger enemies, leaving them open to critical hits.

Useful Items#

Your inventory will soon be filled with many items, but here are a few essentials:

• Estus Flask: Your main healing item. Upgrade it with shards found in the game.
• Lifegems: Slower healing but can be used frequently. Handy for between battles.
• Homeward Bone: Teleports you to the last bonfire you rested at. Use this to save souls if you’re in a sticky situation.
• Human Effigy: Restores your humanity, increasing your health and allowing for online play.

Humanity and Hollowness#

Humanity is a big deal in Dark Souls 2. Keeping your humanity affects your health and online interactions:

• Hollow Form: Each death reduces your maximum health. You’ll need a Human Effigy to restore your humanity.
• Human Form: Restores your health to full and allows for summoning other players for help, but also opens you up to invasions.

Exploration#

Take your time to explore. This game is filled with hidden paths, secrets, and lore. Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Check Every Corner: Treasure is often hidden off the beaten path.
• Talk to NPCs: Non-Playable Characters (NPCs) can offer valuable insights, items, and even quests.
• Don’t Rush: Going slow lets you spot traps and ambushes before they happen.

Final Tips#

Remember, dying is part of the game. Learn from each death, stay calm, and keep going. Dark Souls 2 is tough but fair – with patience and practice, you’ll get the hang of it. Now, get out there and make your mark, Undead!

Dark Souls 2: Beginner’s Guide#

First Area Walkthrough#

Welcome to Dark Souls 2! If this is your first time stepping into the treacherous world of Drangleic, we’ve got you covered. The first area might seem overwhelming, but follow this walkthrough, and you’ll be slicing through enemies and collecting souls in no time.

Things Betwixt: Key Items and NPCs#

1. Starting Off: When you first gain control of your character, head through the cave ahead. You’ll find yourself at a crossroads, literally. You can head left for more tutorial-focused gameplay or right for a shortcut to the main area. New players should head left to understand the basic mechanics.

2. Talking to the Firekeepers: In the hut, you’ll meet three Firekeepers. They’ll offer you a warm welcome and provide the Estus Flask, which is your primary healing item. Explore the hut to find goodies: a Human Effigy and some items in chests. Make sure to exhaust dialogue options for essential lore bits.

3. Character Customization: After the Firekeepers, you’ll be able to customize your character. Choose wisely—each starting class and gift will influence your early game. Common picks include the Life Ring, which offers extra health, or the Healing Wares, for more healing items.

Journey Through the Woods#

1. The Fog Gates: Exit the hut and proceed through the fog gates (they act as tutorial areas). You’ll find important items, including your first weapons and a shield. Practice rolling, attacking, and blocking, as these skills are crucial.

2. Bonfire: Shortly after the fog gates, you’ll encounter your first bonfire. Lighting and resting here not only saves your progress but also respawns enemies. Use it to your advantage!

3. Challenging Enemies: The woods have a variety of enemies. Start with basic Hollows to get a feel for combat. Weaker enemies tend to drop useful items and souls. Take them down and explore thoroughly, as some paths lead to valuable loot like the Morning Star or Crimson Parma shield.

Finding Majula#

1. The Pursuer: If you’re feeling brave, take on The Pursuer. He’s one tough customer, but defeating him rewards you with the Ring of Blades, boosting your attack power. If you find him too hard, don’t worry—you can always come back later.

2. Majula: Follow the paths until you reach an open area with a breathtaking view—welcome to Majula! This will be your main hub, where you level up, upgrade equipment, and more. Your first stop should be the Emerald Herald, who helps you level up using souls.

3. Exploration: Majula has plenty of secrets. Check out the mansion for a map from Cale the Cartographer and pick up the Estus Shard to get more healing charges. Visit Shalquoir the cat for rings and info.

Tips and Tricks#

• Don’t Hoard Souls: If you’re close to leveling up, spend your souls! Dying and losing them can be a major setback.
• Upgrade Your Gear: Blacksmith Lenigrast in Majula can reinforce your weapons and armor. Better gear means better survival chances.
• Pace Yourself: Dark Souls 2 isn’t just about combat; exploration and pacing are crucial. Take your time, and don’t rush blindly into danger.

With this guide, the opening moments of Dark Souls 2 should feel a little less intimidating. Remember, persistence is key. Good luck, brave Undead!

Early Game Tips#

Starting your journey in Dark Souls 2 can feel like being thrown into the deep end of a very dark and very monster-filled pool. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Here are some early game tips to help you survive and thrive.

Choose Your Starting Class Wisely#

Your starting class matters, but it doesn’t lock you in forever.

• Knight: Great for beginners. Comes with good armor and a strong sword. Higher health makes it easier to survive early.
• Sorcerer: If you prefer keeping enemies at a distance, this class starts with a powerful magic spell.
• Cleric: Has a healing spell right from the start. A nice balance between melee and magic.

Remember, as you level up, you can customize your character to fit your play style, so pick a class that feels comfortable at the start.

Explore Majula Thoroughly#

Majula is your hub world and safe zone. Don’t rush through it.

• Talk to Everyone: NPCs in Majula offer services like leveling up and buying items. They also give you useful tips.
• Find the Estus Flask Shard: There’s an important item called an Estus Flask Shard next to the big well. Use it to get another healing sip.
• Open the Mansion: Near the cliff, the mansion key is in Forest of Fallen Giants. Inside, you’ll find a map and useful items.

Take Your Time in Forest of Fallen Giants#

This is your first real area after the tutorial, and it’s filled with valuable stuff.

• Fight Carefully: Enemies are tough. Focus on one at a time and learn their patterns.
• Look for Items: There’s a lot of loot hidden around, including your first serious weapon upgrades and more Estus Flask Shards.
• Watch for Ambushes: Enemies will sometimes hide around corners. Move slowly and use your camera to peek.

Level Up Strategically#

Don’t waste your souls.

• Early Priorities: Focus on raising your Vigor (HP), Endurance (stamina), and whichever attribute boosts your chosen weapon (Strength or Dexterity for melee; Intelligence or Faith for magic).
• Balance is Key: Don’t neglect your health and stamina even if you’re focusing on a specific build. More HP and stamina mean you last longer in fights.

Pay Attention to Stamina#

Stamina management is crucial in combat.

• Don’t Overcommit: Make sure to keep some stamina in reserve. Running out leaves you vulnerable.
• Invest in Endurance: More stamina means you can attack, block, and dodge more before getting tired.

Use Your Shield#

Blocking is your best friend.

• Keep it Up: Always approach enemies with your shield raised until you learn their attack patterns.
• Upgrade: Investing in a better shield early can save you a lot of headaches. Look for ones with higher stability and damage reduction.

Summon Help#

Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re stuck.

• NPC Summons: Some NPCs can be summoned for boss fights. Look for their summon signs near boss fight entrances.
• Player Summons: Playing online? You can summon other players to help. Just be careful of invaders.

Don’t Hoard Consumables#

Use them when you need them.

• Healing Items: Use Life Gems freely if you’re low on health. Save Estus Flasks for more urgent situations.
• Enhancement Items: Use things like Resin to add elemental damage to your weapons for tough fights. It can make a big difference.

Explore Everywhere#

Dark Souls 2 rewards exploration.

• Hidden Paths: Keep an eye out for walls and floors that look suspicious. You might find secret doors.
• Loot Everything: Picking up seemingly useless items can lead to discovering items crucial for later progression.

Starting out in Dark Souls 2 can be overwhelming, but with patience and smart play, you’ll get the hang of it. Death is part of the experience, so learn from it and keep pushing forward. Happy slaying!

Essential Early Items#

Starting out in Dark Souls 2 can be really tough, especially if this is your first time diving into the series. Let’s make things a bit easier by covering some key items that’ll give you a fighting chance in the deadly world of Drangleic.

Human Effigies#

Human Effigies are crucial early on. They restore your humanity, which means boosting your maximum health and allowing you to summon help from other players. You’ll start with a couple in your inventory, but more can be found in places like the white knights’ bodies in the Forest of Fallen Giants.

Pro Tip: Avoid wasting them – save these for tough boss fights or when you’ve been hollowed for too long.

Estus Flask Shards#

An upgraded Estus Flask is a lifesaver. Estus Flask Shards boost the amount of times you can use the flask, which restores your health. You can find an early shard in the well in Majula; just smash the stone near it to reveal the shard below. Another shard is hidden in the caves of the Majula Mansion, behind an illusory wall.

Pro Tip: Always be on the lookout for Estus Flask Shards, and remember to return to the Emerald Herald to upgrade your flask.

Pharros’ Lockstones#

These mystical stones allow you to access secret areas or treasures. The first Pharros’ Lockstone can be purchased from Melentia the Merchant in the Forest of Fallen Giants for 4,000 souls. You can use it in the same area to unlock the route through the giant statue’s mouth.

Pro Tip: These stones are one-time-use, so consider when and where to use them wisely.

Ring of Binding#

This ring caps your HP reduction from hollowing at 75%, making it a valuable item. You can find the Ring of Binding in the Tower of Flame after defeating the Dragonrider boss. It’s on a corpse on a narrow ledge in the Cathedral of Blue.

Pro Tip: Equip this if you’re finding yourself hollowed often to keep your HP from dropping too low.

Life Gems#

Life Gems are small, slow-healing items that you’ll use a lot in the early game. These can be bought from multiple merchants, including Melentia the Merchant and Murphy the Stone Trader, also scattered throughout the world. They’re weaker than Estus Flasks but handy for topping off your health between enemy encounters.

Pro Tip: While they’re cheap and plentiful, be mindful of how many you use – conserve them for when you’re really in a pinch.

Healing Wares#

Healing Wares are more generic items but shouldn’t be overlooked. These include Herbs and Med Heal Spells. Early game herbal items can be bought and found relatively easily and often provide a moderate amount of healing.

Pro Tip: If you chose Healing Wares as a starting gift, make the most of them to save on your early game life gems and effigies.

Antique Key#

The Antique Key opens doors that are otherwise locked, revealing paths and loot crucial for advancement. You’ll find it in the area called No-Man’s Wharf. Dropping down onto a cliff from a suspended cage platform grants access to a hidden treasure trove.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for more locked doors as you progress; many useful items are hidden behind them.

Smooth & Silky Stones#

These stones can be traded with the Dyna & Tillo crows in Things Betwixt for various items. Simply leave these stones in their nest for a randomized reward. You can find a few Smooth & Silky stones in the area or buy them from certain merchants later.

Pro Tip: This is more of a gamble, but it can pay off big with rare items. Always worth a shot!

Remember, Dark Souls 2 is all about patience, strategy, and careful exploration. Take your time, explore every nook and cranny, and keep an eye out for these essential items to make your journey through Drangleic a bit more manageable. Happy hunting!

First Boss Tips#

So, you’ve made it through your first few hours of Dark Souls 2, and now you’re standing in front of your very first boss fight. Don’t worry; we’ve got your back. Here are some handy tips to help you take down that big baddie with as few deaths as possible.

1. Observe Before You Attack#

Before you rush in and start slashing, take a moment to observe the boss’s movements. Every boss in Dark Souls 2 has a pattern, and learning these patterns is key to surviving. Watch for a couple of attacks and make mental notes about their timing and reach. Understanding when to dodge or block will be crucial.

2. Don’t Be Greedy#

In the heat of the moment, it’s tempting to get in as many hits as possible. Resist that temptation. Attack once or twice, then back off. Staying in close for too long will almost always result in a devastating counter-attack from the boss. Patience is a virtue, as they say.

3. Stamina Management#

Keep an eye on your stamina bar. Dodging, blocking, and attacking all drain your stamina, and if it runs out, you’re a sitting duck. Make sure you always have enough stamina to dodge an incoming attack. If your stamina is low, back off, and let it regenerate before you engage again.

4. Equipment and Loadout#

Before walking through that boss fog, make sure you’ve got the right gear equipped. A shield with high stability will help you absorb hits, while lighter armor will make dodging easier. For weapons, go with what you’re most comfortable with, but consider upgrading your favorite ones if you have the materials. Also, don’t forget to bring Estus Flasks or any other healing items.

5. Use the Environment#

The area where you fight bosses isn’t just for show. Use the environment to your advantage. Pillars can block some attacks, and ledges can provide some breathing room. Learn the layout of the arena to avoid getting cornered or trapped.

6. Summon Help#

Don’t feel like you need to solo the boss if you’re struggling. Dark Souls 2 offers the option to summon help in the form of NPCs or other players. Look for summon signs near the boss gate if you’re in human form. More friends can make the fight more manageable, and it’s always fun to share the challenge with others.

7. Keep Your Cool#

Above all, don’t panic. It’s easy to get flustered when a giant monster is swinging a sword twice your size. Stay calm, stick to your plan, and keep practicing. Every death is a lesson, and persistence will pay off in the end.

Extra Tip: Practice Makes Perfect#

If a boss is really giving you trouble, sometimes it’s best to take a break and come back with a clear mind. Or, you could practice by fighting some of the tougher enemies you’ve encountered so far. This way, you’ll improve your dodging and blocking skills without the pressure of a boss fight.

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to taking down that first boss and feeling like a true Dark Souls champion. Remember, every challenge conquered in Dark Souls 2 only makes the next one a little bit easier. Good luck, and may the flames guide thee!

Hopefully, with these tips in hand, you’ll be ready to face your first boss head-on and come out victorious. The path ahead in Dark Souls 2 is tough but remember, you’ve got this.